Suspect identified in mugging of woman near First Tennessee Park

Metro Police have identified Brandon Dotson as a suspect of a mugging of a Nashville woman walking home from a play on Saturday night. (Photo: Metro Nashville Police Department)

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -

Police have identified one of the two suspects accused of mugging a woman walking home from a play late Saturday night.

Metro Police said Brandon Dotson, 19, is alleged to be one of two men who attacked a woman as she walked by First Tennessee Park.

Police are still attempting to identify the alleged accomplice.

The woman is recovering from serious head injuries after she was mugged while walking home from a play late Saturday night.

The woman was leaving the Tennessee Performing Arts Center near the State Capitol heading home to her apartment on 3rd Avenue North. She walked several blocks and turned on Junior Gilliam Way beside First Tennessee Park. That is when police believe two young men followed and attacked her.

Police said the two young men hit the woman in the head with a metal stake, knocked her to the ground and stole her purse and cell phone. The suspects ran off in different directions.

The woman was able to walk a few blocks home and call police.

The Book of Mormon was the last show at TPAC Saturday night. The show ended around 10:30 p.m. The attack happened around 10:55 p.m.

It appears the two mugging suspects walked past a ticket booth at the right field entrance of First Tennessee Park. They were seen on surveillance cameras walking near Junior Gilliam Way.

"I look at these apartments right here and they seem pretty nice, so I wouldn't think necessarily that it was a particularly dangerous area," said Annie Gocke, who was touring the area with her mother Monday afternoon.

As a walker, Montie Smith said she doesn't feel unsafe, but said she will no longer walk alone in the area.

"I'm hoping that anybody that sees them will turn them in," Smith said. "Don't be scared. You should not ever be scared because what if that was your mother, or your grandmother or your daughter or your sister?"

The suspects are described as black males, perhaps in their teens. As shown in the surveillance photos, one can be seen wearing a long black jacket, red pants and black shoes with white soles. The other wore a gray hoodie, blue jeans and white shoes.

Police are asking anyone who recognized either of these young men to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.